Book description
Winner of the 2023 PROSE Award for Excellence in Biological and Life Sciences and the 2023 Chautauqua Prize! Named a New York Times Notable Book and a Best Book of the Year by The Economist, Oprah Daily, BookPage, Book Riot, the New York Public Library, and more! In The Song of the Cell, the extraordinary author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Emperor of All Maladies and the #1 New York Times bestseller The Gene "blends cutting-edge research, impeccable scholarship, intrepid reporting, and gorgeous prose into an encyclopedic study that reads like a literary page-turner" (Oprah Daily). Mukherjee begins this magnificent story in the late 1600s, when a distinguished English polymath, Robert Hooke, and an eccentric Dutch cloth-merchant, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek looked down their handmade microscopes. What they saw introduced a radical concept that swept through biology and medicine, touching virtually every aspect of the two sciences, and altering both forever. It was the fact that complex living organisms are assemblages of tiny, self-contained, self-regulating units. Our organs, our physiology, our selves--hearts, blood, brains--are built from these compartments. Hooke christened them "cells." The discovery of cells--and the reframing of the human body as a cellular ecosystem--announced the birth of a new kind of medicine based on the therapeutic manipulations of cells. A hip fracture, a cardiac arrest, Alzheimer's dementia, AIDS, pneumonia, lung cancer, kidney failure, arthritis, COVID pneumonia--all could be reconceived as the results of cells, or systems of cells, functioning abnormally. And all could be perceived as loci of cellular therapies. Filled with writing so vivid, lucid, and suspenseful that complex science becomes thrilling, The Song of the Cell tells the story of how scientists discovered cells, began to understand them, and are now using that knowledge to create new humans. Told in six parts, and laced with Mukherjee's own experience as a researcher, a doctor, and a prolific reader, The Song of the Cell is both panoramic and intimate--a masterpiece on what it means to be human. "In an account both lyrical and capacious, Mukherjee takes us through an evolution of human understanding: from the seventeenth-century discovery that humans are made up of cells to our cutting-edge technologies for manipulating and deploying cells for therapeutic purposes" (The New Yorker).
Abyss Tamer
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Bad Princess
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Runway Darling
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Sun Runner
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
Spicy Thunder
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. 🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
NoiseCake
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Wheels
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Mr. Spy
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Gentle Avenger
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Taz Ringer
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
ThoughtTraveler
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Crazy Eights
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Classy Luck
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Sokol
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access.
Universe Bullet
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Flame OUT
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight.
Trigger Warming
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Black Firefly
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Old Felix
Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Electric Player
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience